Bulldogs drop two close games to start season

This article submitted by Michael Jacobson on 4/25/01.
The Bulldog baseball team opened their 2001 season with two close conference losses.

After weeks of postponements and delays, the Bulldogs finally took the field for their first game on Tuesday, April 17, against Cathedral and Thursday, April 19, at Albany.

The Bulldogs lost to Cathedral 2-0 and to Albany 7-6.

Against Albany, the Bulldogs rallied to knot the score at six with a run in the top of the seventh. Pat Rohe singled, stole second, and scored on Nick Stalboerger's hit.

Senior Chris Rohe bats with a backround of snow as the Bulldogs opened their season against St. Cloud Cathedral on Tuesday, April 17.

But the Huskies answered with a run to win in the bottom of the inning. A walk followed by a double set the stage for a game-winning hit by John Lester, as the Huskies won 7-6.

The Huskies led 3-0 after two innings, but the Bulldogs responded with two runs in the third. The Huskies scored three more in the fourth, and the Bulldogs scored three in the fifth to trail 6-5 entering the seventh inning.

Wes Lieser started pitching for Paynesville and lasted five innings. Adam Larson came on in relief and took the loss.

The Bulldogs' tournament on Saturday was cancelled due to the rain.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Sauk Centre on Monday, but that game has been rescheduled for May 3. The game against Sauk on May 3 has been moved to May 7.

The Bulldogs were also scheduled to play Litchfield on Tuesday.

On Friday, they will play a doubleheader, starting at New London-Spicer at 4:30 p.m. and then hosting Kimball under the lights at 7 p.m. The Dogs will also play in a tournament at Orono on Saturday.

Next week, the Bulldogs are scheduled to host Melrose on Monday, April 30.

Cathedral 2, Paynesville 0
The Bulldogs lost a pitcher's duel to St. Cloud Cathedral in their first game of the year. This game pitted the Bulldogs, last year's conference champions, with Cathedral, the 1999 champs and runners-up last year.

Senior Jon Lieser started for Paynesville and allowed only two runs, one earned. He gave up six hits in six innings and struck out four.

But the Crusaders' Louis Opatz proved even better at silencing the Bulldogs' bats. The junior lefthander allowed only three hits and four walks as the Bulldogs were unable to score. Opatz recorded 10 strikeouts.

Brian Mathiason, a three-year starting catcher for the Crusaders, provided most of the game's offense. He singled twice, scored both of Cathedral's runs, and stole two bases.